The libertarian wing of the House GOP continues to take the lead on tech issues with Jason Chaffetz’s SHIELD Act which would target Patent trolling specifically in computer hardware and software patents. I think I like this. Especially with the ABA-friendly first-to-file system in, finding ways to discourage patent litigation is probably good. I suspect if the bill has problems it will be in defining terms.

US regulators are busy too, looking to fine Google $22.5 million over the Safari spy hack. However I would have supported a much larger fine. I suspect that they made good money off of the tracking while it lasted. For those who may not recall: Google found a way to defeat Safari’s anti-tracking features to track users. That ought to bother people.

Here’s an interesting news bit: Verizon’s blocking tethering apps apparently violated its C Block license. That’s actually more great news for Android users on Verizon, at least until Verizon alters its terms of service to compensate. AT&T has long been taking countermeasures to block tether abusers, and Verizon will do the same I’m certain. Though actually with the move toward family/group plan communal data, that may be less of an issue now. Pay for what you use: that’s the American way, and how you avoid a Tragedy of the Commons.

Heh. Anonymous logo to get trademarked in France. I hope the Anonymous people don’t realize that the French government has no patience for radical leftys. Having sank the Rainbow Warrior, they will punch Anontards in the mouth if they have to. Greenpeace, they ain’t.